If your body could tell you what it wants, here’s what it would say: “I want magnesium.”

And how does your body love magnesium? Let me count the ways.

————————————————————
You must remember this
————————————————————

Way Number One: Magnesium makes your brain work better

A recent laboratory study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reveals that an adequate amount of magnesium is necessary to maintain the “plasticity” of synapses – the connectors that move information from neuron to neuron in the brain. In this case, plasticity refers to the ability to change. When synapses are flexible to change, learning and memory are enhanced.

The study hasn’t been published yet, so details about the exact
methodology will have to wait. But according to a report released by the MIT News Office, the researchers believe their results confirm that cognitive function is stunted when magnesium is deficient, but clearly improved when magnesium intake is abundant.

Other conditions that have been associated with a magnesium deficiency include depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorder.

————————————————————
Power up
————————————————————

Way Number Two: Magnesium gives you energy

Researchers with the USDA Agricultural Research Service recruited 10 postmenopausal women to participate in a three-phase diet and exercise study. During phase one (35 days), the women followed a controlled diet that delivered an adequate amount of magnesium. (The current Recommended
Dietary Allowance (RDA) for women is 320 mg daily. For men; 420 mg daily.)

In the second phase (93 days), each subject consumed a diet that contained less than half the RDA for magnesium. In the final phase (49 days) the subjects returned to a diet with adequate magnesium. At the end of each phase, subjects took exercise tests, as well as physiological and biochemical tests.

Results showed that when magnesium intake was low, exercise increased heart rate and required more oxygen compared to exercising when magnesium intake was adequate. Also, when magnesium levels in muscles were low, more energy was required and subjects tired more easily compared to subjects with adequate magnesium levels.

————————————————————
Skeleton health
————————————————————

Way Number Three: Magnesium strengthens your bones

Scientists have already shown that magnesium increases bone density in postmenopausal women, so researchers at Tel-Aviv University in Israel used an animal study to test magnesium as an osteoporosis preventive agent.

A group of female rats were divided into two groups to receive either adiet with adequate magnesium or a magnesium deficient diet. Over a one-year period, urine samples were collected every three months and a blood sample was taken from each rat at the end of the year. Bone samples from the thighs and vertebrae of each rat were also analyzed for
bone density.

Results showed that bone density was significantly higher in the rats that received adequate magnesium in their diets. Microscopic examination of the bones revealed signs of osteoporosis in only the rats that received inadequate magnesium. Also, less force was required to break
the bones of these rats compared to the bones of the rats that received proper amounts of magnesium.

————————————————————
Don’t deplete
————————————————————

Over the past week I just happened to come across the three studies mentioned above. But these are by no means the only ways that the body puts magnesium to good use.

In previous e-Alerts I’ve told you how magnesium intake has been shown to help heart muscle cells relax, reduce blood pressure, and even lower homocysteine levels. No surprise then that magnesium deficiency has been linked to elevated heart disease risk. But about half of all Americans don’t get an adequate intake of magnesium. And to complicate the
situation, many factors contribute to magnesium depletion. High stress and menstruation can take their toll on magnesium levels, while a heavy intake of starches, alcohol, diuretics and some prescription drugs (such as antibiotics) can increase urinary excretion of magnesium.

Magnesium is naturally present in green leafy vegetables, avocados, nuts and seeds, and whole grains, but usually only in small amounts, so you’d need to eat a wide variety of these foods regularly to get all the magnesium you need.

In the e-Alert “Mind Over Matter” (5/27/05), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen,M.D., offered these guidelines on magnesium supplementation: “I’ve always recommended 500 mg/day, since absorption of most forms isn’t that great.

“My limit for oral magnesium is that which causes any loosening of the stools, and there’s always a distinct dose that will do it. I’m careful to warn people not to go over that limit for the simple reason that food is moved through the GI tract too quickly with too much magnesium, and that cuts down on absorption of nutrients (both from foods and supplements). However, that amount is usually between 400 and 1500 mg/day.

“Now, bear in mind that that’s ELEMENTAL magnesium. In a supplement, such as magnesium oxide, the tablet that is sold as a 400 mg tablet only has 241.3 mg of elemental magnesium. So, when you take a ‘400 mg’ tablet, you aren’t getting 400 mg of magnesium anyway. Plus, even the label says you can take 2/day, or 800 mg.”

Whatever way you choose to get it, you can be sure that your body will love a daily supply of magnesium.

****************************************************

“Heart Health Alert: Don’t listen to your doctor!”

Why do I say that? Because the medical mainstream’s got it all wrong “for a change.” When it comes to heart health, fat and cholesterol are NOT the enemies. In fact, your body needs them to stay healthy.

An HSI member named Jerry posted a satirical piece titled “Top 10 reasons why we need drug companies” on the HSI Forum. The list was written by Mike Adams, a health columnist for NewsTarget.com. Mike has very generously offered this to anyone who needs a “health enhancing” laugh. I’ve trimmed it a little, but the entire piece can be found on our web site (hsionline.com) by clicking on “Forum.”

Cures: We need drug companies to keep finding cures for major diseases. Look at all the cures they’ve found so far like wellokay, they haven’t actually found any cures yet. But maybe they can at least cure all the bogus diseases they made up like “social anxiety disorder” and “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”

National Security: U.S. drug companies are crucial for
protecting our national security by banning prescription drugs from untrustworthy countries like Canada.

The Economy: never mind that most pharmaceutical companies sell useless products at ridiculous prices. All that money changing hands is great for the economy. You may be diseased, but think on the bright side: your Big Pharma stocks are soaring! (With all that money, you
might even be able to afford health insurance)

Doctors: Without the pharmaceutical companies, what would all the doctors do for work? After all, most so-called “medicine” involves little more than scribbling out a prescription for the latest mass-advertised drug. Without drugs, doctors might actually have to TALK to patients. Horrors!

Ethics: With Enron gone, we need a new, national example of strong ethics that properly communicate the essence of American corporate greed. Pharmaceutical companies could make Enron look like the Girl Scouts.

Political Fundraising: We need drug companies to support the re-election efforts of national leaders.

Publishers: Without drug company advertising, who would support all the newspaper and magazine publishers in this country? After all, many print publications are now little more than pro-drug infomercial rags dressed up to look like credible news magazines.

Patient Responsibility: Without drug companies shifting health responsibility away from patients, the people would actually have to think for themselves and take control of their own health. That’s simply too much to ask from a dumbed-down population.

The Environment: Drug companies set an excellent example of fair and balanced environmental policy, which is why antidepressant drugs are now showing up in the water supply. Their new environmental slogan? “You
take it, you flush it, we fuggedaboutit!”

The Elderly: Everybody agrees we need honest U.S. businesses to look out for the interests of our elders. Pharmaceutical companies handle this with finesse by taking over the full monthly incomes of most retired folks. It’s a genuine public service.

****************************************************

Remove the threat of toxic ‘squatters’ in your body

It’s uncomfortable to think about ‘smart,’ drug-resistant parasitic
creatures securing themselves inside our digestive tracts – and perhaps spreading to vital organs, even invading the brain with destructive results. But it’s far worse not to deal with the distinct possibility that you – and your loved ones – may now be infected with parasites sapping your health and well-being.

Discover the common symptoms of parasitic infection and find out how to protect you and your family.